Scaling Local and Global Issues at the 2012 London Olympic Games Bridget Botelho [email protected]
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The University of San Francisco USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center Master's Theses Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects Fall 2012 Challenging Space through Activism: Scaling Local and Global Issues at the 2012 London Olympic Games Bridget Botelho [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.usfca.edu/thes Part of the Human Geography Commons, International and Area Studies Commons, and the Politics and Social Change Commons Recommended Citation Botelho, Bridget, "Challenging Space through Activism: Scaling Local and Global Issues at the 2012 London Olympic Games" (2012). Master's Theses. 38. https://repository.usfca.edu/thes/38 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects at USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. For more information, please contact [email protected]. University of San Francisco Challenging Space through Activism: Scaling Local and Global Issues at the 2012 London Olympic Games A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences Masters Program in International Studies In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in International Studies by Bridget Botelho December 2012 Challenging Space through Activism: Scaling Local and Global Issues at the 2012 London Olympic Games In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS in INTERNATIONAL STUDIES by Bridget Botelho December 2012 UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO Under the guidance and approval of the committee, and approval by all the members, this thesis has been accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree. Approved: _____________________________________________ _____________ Advisor: Dr. Stephen Zavestoski Date _____________________________________________ _____________ Academic Director: Dr. Anne Bartlett Date _____________________________________________ _____________ Dean of Arts and Sciences: Dr. Marcelo Camperi Date i Abstract This qualitative study focuses on issues of space created by the Olympic Games in London and the ways in which activists demonstrated against these issues by using space to their advantage. The Olympic Games is a phenomenon that scales local, national and international space in various ways, through its effects on global culture, identity, and economic processes. The games have a history of protest and activism, but the issues created by the games and struggles against them are not often discussed. My study aims to analyze the spatial effects of the Olympics on a local and global level through the stories of activism. I discuss the ways in which the Olympic games affects space for a host city, through influencing local politics to unleash spatial practices that favor private development over public necessity. To counter spatial issues including eviction, the seizure of green space, and limitations to access of space, activists in turn use spatial politics to demonstrate against Olympic development. The Olympic Games as a global institution also effects larger spatial practices, such as their corporate sponsorship program, which activists also used spatial tactics to demonstrate against these processes. I use geographic theory of space and sociological theory of Olympic processes to present a comprehensive analysis of the challenges that activists at the 2012 Olympic games were faced with. Data includes observations of demonstrations leading up to the opening ceremonies of the Olympic games and interview material from counter-Olympic activists. Through my analysis of the ways in which space creates problems and opportunities for activism, and the unique situation the Olympic Games present for spatial politics, I aim to provide examples of strengthened activism against spatial issues. ii Acknowledgements There are many people that I would like to thank, as I am most grateful for their assistance and support throughout the process of conducting my research and writing my thesis. I could not have conducted this study without the truly inspiring activists and organizations I met while in London. Their personal struggles, relentless passion, and intelligent approach to fighting for what they believe in continue to amaze me. I would like to thank my thesis advisor, Stephen Zavestoski, for his tremendous help and guidance throughout the writing process, and his inspiration for the concept of my study. Many thanks to Anne Bartlett, who constantly challenges me to dig deeper into coursework and question everything about the world, and inspires me with her incredible work for social change. To my fellow classmates in MAIS, I would not have made it through this process without your support and insight, and our endless study parties at the library. I cannot wait to see what amazing things you all accomplish in the future and look forward to staying in touch as colleagues and friends. Last but not least, thank you to my parents, Diann and Tony Botelho, for being the ultimate support system and constantly encouraging me to pursue my dreams. I would not be where I am today without your love and guidance. iii Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................. ii Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................. iii List of Acronyms ................................................................................................................................................... iv Chapter I: Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 The Counter-Olympic March .......................................................................................................................................... 1 History and Background................................................................................................................................................... 3 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................................................................ 5 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Chapter II: Space and the Olympic Influence ................................................................................ 9 Defining Local and Global Space ................................................................................................................................... 9 Local Spatial Practices and Issues ............................................................................................................................. 12 The role of the Olympics in Global Spatial Processes ........................................................................................ 21 Chapter III: Methodology .................................................................................................................. 26 Setting ................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Sample/Participants ....................................................................................................................................................... 27 Measurement Instruments ........................................................................................................................................... 28 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter IV: Local Issues and Activism ......................................................................................... 31 Introduction to local spatial politics and issues .................................................................................................. 31 Eviction ................................................................................................................................................................................. 32 Seizure of Green Spaces ................................................................................................................................................. 43 Limits to Access ................................................................................................................................................................. 54 Chapter V: Global Issues on an Olympic Stage .......................................................................... 58 The Anti-Dow Chemical Campaign ........................................................................................................................... 59 The Greenwash Gold Campaign ................................................................................................................................